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Police Seek Public's Help In Murder Of Elderly Man In Southwest Philly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Update 6/2/16 10:00 pm: Philadelphia Police announced that the van that was stolen from the deceased victim has been found, unoccupied. The van was found at Griscom St. and Oxford Ave. The van was recovered at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.

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Homicide Detectives are asking for the public's help in solving the murder of an elderly Southwest Philadelphia man. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information that helps lead to an arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Captain James Clark with the homicide unit says the body of 78-year-old Joseph Daley was found Tuesday afternoon inside of his home in the 6300 block of Theodore Street in the Elmwood section of the city. Officers responded after neighbors called police to say they haven't seen him around lately.

"An investigation reveals that the suspects broke a rear window and entered the property, killed the long-time homeowner and stole his vehicle, a 2003 Ford E-150 van with a Pennsylvania tag PD5338Z," Clark said. "It's dark blue in color with white rear panel doors."

southwest philly murder
(credit: Philadelphia Police)

Authorities say it appears the cause of death of was strangulation and blunt force trauma.

Clark says police received information that Daley was assaulted and possibly robbed about a week prior to his murder, but the incident was never reported.

"Obviously, we will be dealing with Southwest Detectives if they have any suspects of known robbers in that area," Clark said, "but, right now, we don't have any suspects."

Captain Clark asks anyone with information to call the homicide unit at 215-686-3334 0r 3335.

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